Apple Watch vs Galaxy Gear S and other top smartwatches of 2014
There are high hopes for the wearable tech market, despite the design shortcomings that have yet to keep consumers interested in current connected devices. A natural evolution of smartphones and fitness trackers, the smartwatch has become a frontrunner to catalyze the would-be troubled wearable tech sector. Expected to reach 177 million wearable devices by 2018, wearable tech is still struggling to maintain consumer consistency as most Americans abandon wearable tech after just three months. Attributed to usability issues, users quit wearable tech due to poor battery life and poor design. These are issues the newest lineup of smartwatches hope to address.
Apple Inc. is the latest to join the smartwatch craze with the launch of its Apple Watch. Though the device won’t be released until early 2015, the Apple Watch features, design and specifications have aroused plenty interest. But the Apple Watch isn’t the only smartwatch to launch this year, as several rival bands debuted at the in town as a number of them launched at the annual IFA trade show.
How do these smartwatches compare with one another? Which will be the next big thing in the wrist-worn technology category?
Smartwatch wars: How does the Apple Watch compare?
Image via Apple
Apple has not divulged the full specifications of the Apple Watch, but did say that the device will come in three variants: Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and Apple Watch Edition.
Apple Watch is the basic model that features a stainless steel case and comes with a range of interchangeable wristbands, while the Sport variant is meant for consumers who are more active in sports and other strenuous activities. As for the Watch Edition, this is the more sophisticated option for Apple Watch buyers, as it comes in 18-karat gold cases and exquisitely crafted bands and enclosures.
What makes the Apple Watch different from other smartwatches is the digital crown surrounding the watch face, which allows users to zoom in and out on the touch screen without obstructing it. It can also be used to quickly go back to the Home screen or activate Siri.
The Apple Watch also ties in with Apple’s Health app, sending data via the photosensors at the back of the watch with two modes to keep users active. Apple claims that the device will last a full day and uses a magnetic inductive charger that perfectly fits the back of the watch. The device will also have an NFC chip to facilitate touchless transactions via Apple Pay.
Like many smartwatches on the market, the Apple Watch needs a smartphone for pairing in order to work. In this case, it requires an iPhone. Prices for the Apple Watch start at $349, with the smartwatch scheduled to launch early next year.
Image via Samsung
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. added a new device, the Galaxy Gear S, to its smartwatch line, and this time it has a curved display for improved comfort around the wrist. Like earlier models, it is primarily a smartphone companion. But unlike its smartwatch rivals, it has a 3G radio that allows users to leave the phone behind but still be able to make calls, receive messages and updates.
The Galaxy Gear S features a 2” Super AMOLED display with 360 x 480 resolution, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal memory. Samsung’s newest smartwatch runs the Tizen OS instead of Google Inc.’s Android Wear. For data collection and sharing, the Galaxy Gear S has several sensors including an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, UV, barometer, and heart rate monitor. To make sense of all this data, the Galaxy Gear S comes with Samsung’s proprietary S Health app.
The smartwatch also has a mic to facilitate voice commands, but doesn’t have a camera. The display has also been upgraded to continuously shows the watch face even when it’s in sleep mode. But fear not – this will not drain the battery, as it automatically adjusts to use fewer pixels.
Image via Sony
Sony Corp. recently launched the third iteration of its SmartWatch. The newest features a 1.6” Transflective Display with a 320 x 320 pixel, packed with sensors such as ambient light sensors, an accelerometer, compass, gyroscope and GPS. The smartwatch is also equipped with a 1.2GHz quad ARM A7 processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB eMMC, and is IP68 rated to make it water resistant.
Sony’s SmartWatch runs Android Wear and works without a smartphone, storing and playing music while still working as a fitness tracker. The fitness data will automatically sync when paired with a smartphone.
While many of the SmartWatch features have been upgraded from previous models, such as added support for voice control, its aesthetics seemed to have been downgraded. The rubber strap cheapens the look of smartwatch, which is a huge drawback since most smart watch makers are trying to make their devices look more sophisticated.
Image via LG
LG Electronics Inc. may have been one of the first to launch an Android Wear smartwatch, but it was not well received. One of the major turn offs of the LG G Watch was its rubber exterior, huge rectangular face, and general unappealing design.
For its second smartwatch, LG decided to go with a sleeker design, much like Motorola Inc.’s Moto 360. What makes the G Watch different is that it has a sportier design but is still up to par with most luxury watches. It features a 1.3” full circle P-OLED display, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 4GB of storage, 512MB RAM, 410mAh battery, runs Android Wear, is IP67 rated allowing to run for up to 30 minutes in one meter of water.
Image via Asus
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. has also jumped on the smartwatch bandwagon with the ZenWatch. The device features a 1.63-inch display with a 320×320 screen resolution, with 278 pixels per inch and a Gorilla Glass screen to make it durable to everyday bumps and grinds.
The smartwatch’s stainless steel body is slightly curved but not as curved as the Gear S watch. It has some nifty features such as automatically unlocking your smartphone or tablet with the ZenWatch, and assigning favorite functions that can be triggered with a tap. Covering the entire face of the smartwatch with your hand silences incoming calls, and the ZenWatch comes with camera remote app, a wellness app that takes information such as steps taken, calories burned, activity duration, heart rate, exercise intensity and “relaxation level”, using an algorithm created by ASUS.
The ZenWatch will sell for about $280 and will be availabe in the 3rd or 4th quarter of 2014.
Image via Intel
If you’re looking for a truly fashionable smartwatch, Intel Corp.’s MICA (My Intelligent Communication Accessory) may be your best option. Created in conjunction with fashion house Opening Ceremony, MICA doesn’t look like your typical smartwatch with a watch face and leather, plastic or metal straps, but instead looks like a designer-made bangle for women.
MICA will come in two designs: one style will feature black watersnake skin, pearls from China, and lapis stones from Madagascar, and the other style will feature white watersnake skin, tiger’s eye from South Africa, and obsidian from Russia. It’s primary features include delivering SMS messages, meeting alerts, and general notifications right on the user’s wrist. Its other features will be revealed at a later date.
MICA will be available Holiday 2014 in select Barneys New York Inc. stores, and Opening Ceremony Online LLC.
The verdict
Does the Apple Watch have the potential to be the standard in wrist-worn wearable tech? Possibly, considering no other smartwatch maker has yet to dominate the market. The Apple Watch looks better than most smartwatches currently or soon-to-be available in the market, a bonus for the iPhone maker.
The Apple Watch is only compatible with the iPhone, however, and requires the smartphone in order to be operated.
Yet Apple, late to the smartwatch game, has thoroughly considered the software needs of consumers, incorporating apps and wireless data exchanges to support health and fitness use cases, touchless pay, alerts and GPS navigation. Apple has hit the ground running with a slew of commercial partners including the Mayo Clinic, Target Corp. and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, ready with apps for the Apple Watch.
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